U.S. House Subcommittee to Hold Field Hearing in Nevada on Access to Public Lands, and How Public Lands Management Threatens Rural Economy and Jobs
March 07, 2012 3:31 PM

U.S. House Subcommittee to Hold Field Hearing in Nevada on Access to Public Lands, and How Public Lands Management Threatens Rural Economy and Jobs

Dear BRC Action Alert Subscriber,

The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hold an Oversight Field Hearing in Elko, Nevada, on "Explosion of Federal Regulations Threatening Jobs and Economic Survival in the West." The hearing will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012, at the Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, Elko, Nevada.

Nevada's Elko County, in solidarity with hundreds of local governments across the public lands West, requested the field hearing in order to examine this issue and fully understand the detrimental impacts on local communities, recreational access and, perhaps most importantly, jobs.

Nevada Representative Mark Amodei (NV-02) said; "There wouldn't be a need to hold the hearing if local elected officials in Nevada felt like they were true partners in this process. I look forward to discussing with the federal official from Ogden his views on working with community stakeholders in the Silver State. And I thank Chairman Bishop for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to convene this important field hearing in my district,"

BlueRibbon Coalition Executive Director, Greg Mumm said "We are extremely pleased to see Congress once again focus on the importance of multiple-use/sustained yield management on public lands."

Utah Representative Rob Bishop (UT-01), Chairman of the Subcommittee said; "The National Forest System was created to ensure that future generations would have working forests that would serve multiple objectives. Unfortunately, over time, the role of the U.S. Forest Service has shifted away from upholding this original intent. In recent years we have seen efforts to limit accessibility and multiple-use in forests and on other federal lands, as evidenced by an onslaught of rules, regulations and administrative overreach."

Mumm also noted that in many areas the amount of road and trail closures has reached a critical mass. Mumm wrote; “Over the last two decades, thousands of miles of roads and trails have been closed and tens of thousands of acres made off limits to snowmobile recreation.” He added “The level of closures are now impacting more than the 'enthusiast' Off-Highway Vehicle community. We are locking America's families out of America's public lands.”

WHAT: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands oversight hearing on:
• "Explosion of Federal Regulations Threatening Jobs and Economic Survival in the
West."

Witnesses to be announced.

WHEN: Monday, March 12, 2012
1:00 P.M. PT

WHERE: Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way
Elko, Nevada 89801

We will let you know when the Subcommittee announces the witness list. And we should have some tips and pointers on how to make your views known to members of the Subcommittee on this important issue. Stay tuned!